Day Services Driver

Why do the Day Services team need your help?

Our volunteer drivers use their own cars to bring patients to and from their own homes into Grove House. This may be for appointments with our clinicians, to join a class or group session, or to attend one of our Living Well sessions. This personal service is highly valued by our patients and their families, and means they are able to access the services here with ease, rather than relying on family, friends or public transport.

Where will you be volunteering?

At Grove House, St Albans, AL3 5QX.

How much time are we asking you to give?

This is variable and depends on the number of patients we have coming in and the number of drivers that are available. We work hard to make sure that all our drivers are allocated equally but the nature of our patients means that the situation may often change at the last moment. We hope to be able to offer you at least one driving session a week.

What will you be doing?

·        providing a safe, prompt and reliable transport service for patients to and from their own homes into Grove House using your own car – we do not offer a transport service to any other location e.g. to the shops or a relative’s house unless this has been agreed beforehand with the clinicians

·        using extra care and consideration while driving to take account of the fragile condition of some of our patients

·        helping patients in and out of your car without lifting or bearing weight (training will be provided in this)

·        passing on any concerns or feedback about the patients to the transport co-ordinator or clinicians

·        responding promptly to messages from the transport co-ordinator by mobile phone and email – our patients’ conditions can change very rapidly, meaning that changes often occur at the last minute

·        making sure your mobile phone is with you and switched on at all times while volunteering

·        maintaining clear boundaries: you are providing a professional service on behalf of Rennie Grove and are not the patients’ “friend”. You must not share your personal contact details with a patient or ask them to share them with you

·        attending regular communications meetings and training sessions

·        following all guidelines on health and safety and infection control

·        providing a friendly, empathetic service, but not offering advice or counselling – any concerns around this should be raised with our clinicians